Embark on a breathtaking adventure through the natural wonders of Northern Vietnam and Thailand 10 days. Begin your journey in Vietnam with an overnight cruise on the stunning Ha Long Bay, explore the serene rural landscapes of Ba Vi, and traverse the lush countryside of Ninh Binh by bike and boat. Then, fly to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, where you’ll visit an elephant jungle sanctuary and explore Doi Inthanon National Park, home to Thailand’s highest peak. This itinerary promises a perfect blend of nature and cultural experiences.
Your 10 days in Vietnam and Thailand start from Hanoi, the vibrant capital and cultural hub of Vietnam. Your driver will navigate the bustling, motorbike-filled streets to your hotel, where historic temples and French colonial architecture stand alongside modern malls and office buildings. The Old Quarter‘s maze-like streets are lined with shops and cafés, and locals enjoy coffee and checkers on tiny stools.
Hanoi’s West Lake
After settling in, explore Hanoi on a vintage Vespa scooter. Your guide will take you through the Old Quarter to a popular coffee shop for lemon tea and sunflower seeds with locals. Then, visit Bun Cha Huong Lien to savor Hanoi’s famous bun cha, a dish enjoyed by Barack Obama and Anthony Bourdain.
Continue your Vespa tour through the French Quarter, sampling banh xeo and pho at various stops. Visit landmarks like West Lake and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum before ending the day with Hanoi’s signature egg coffee.
Included: Transportation, Accommodation, and an English-speaking guide.
Leave the city this morning for a guided tour of Ba Vi‘s countryside. Your first stop is Ri Village, where you’ll be welcomed with drinks and snacks by Mr. Duoc, a Vietnam War veteran and tea plantation owner. Hear Mr. Duoc’s stories about wartime life and visit his workshop and plantation to learn tea leaf-picking techniques.
Harvesting green tea leaves in Ba Vi
Next, head to Moc Village, where Mrs. Chin will teach you to cook Vietnamese dishes, which you’ll enjoy for lunch in her tropical garden. Walk around the village with Mrs. Chin to visit local families and learn how to make tofu, conical hats, and other regional products. End the tour with a bike ride through rice paddies and a relaxing Muong herbal foot bath before returning to Hanoi.
Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Today, you’ll depart from Hanoi and head south to Ninh Binh, a region celebrated for its ancient palaces and scenic patchwork of paddy fields crisscrossed by winding rivers. Immerse yourself in this enchanting landscape with a visit to Van Long Nature Reserve, a sprawling wetland adorned with limestone karsts. This protected area is a sanctuary for numerous bird species, including the black-faced spoonbill and the white-browed crake, and shelters endangered Delacour’s langurs.
Van Long Nature Reserve
Enjoy a sampan boat trip through this watery paradise, gliding past towering limestone formations and through mystical grottoes, while spotting fishermen and birds along the way. Conclude your boat tour at Van Long Wharf, where you’ll switch to a buffalo cart—a traditional local mode of transport—to reach a nearby restaurant for a late lunch. Afterward, check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day at your leisure.
Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Begin your day with a short drive to Tho Ha Village, where you’ll embark on a cycling adventure through the picturesque northern Vietnamese countryside. Accompanied by a guide, cycle 3-10 miles (5-15 km), passing through lush rice paddies and tranquil villages. Pause at Dong Tam hamlet to try your hand at crab catching and vegetable tending with the locals.
Ninh Binh’s grotto
Next, join a local family for a cooking class, learning to prepare sweet potato cakes and grilled fish, which you’ll enjoy with the family while discussing rural Vietnamese life. After lunch, bid farewell to your hosts and board a rowboat to Nha Le Pier for a scenic journey to the Galaxy Grotto, named for its stalactite-adorned ceiling and fluttering bats. Afterward, return to your hotel for a well-deserved restful evening.
Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visiting fees, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
This morning, embark on a 3.5-hour private transfer to the northeast coast, reaching the Gulf of Tonkin for your Ha Long Bay overnight tour. Sail across calm waters, admiring over 2,000 limestone karsts rich in Vietnamese folklore. Enjoy a delicious seafood lunch on board, then relax on the sun deck as you journey to the bay’s secluded areas.
Halong Bay Cruise
In the afternoon, stop at a hidden cove for swimming and kayaking to explore secret beaches and caves. Look for iconic formations like Kissing Rock, featured on Vietnam’s 200,000 dong note. The ship’s chef will conduct a cooking masterclass, teaching you to make Vietnamese specialties like nem (fried spring rolls) for dinner. Spend the evening relaxing or try night fishing with the locals to end your day.
Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide on boat, Sightseeing fees, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Rise early for breakfast on the ship’s deck, watching the sunrise over the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. Spend the morning enjoying the view or participating in optional activities such as Tai Chi or kayaking past floating villages and forested islands.
Beautiful Cave in Halong
Explore a limestone cave adorned with stalagmites and stalactites before sailing back to the harbor, with brunch served en route. Your driver will take you on a 2.5-hour journey back to Hanoi for your final evening. Shop for souvenirs in the bustling Old Quarter and savor a last bowl of steaming pho.
Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide on boat, Meals: Breakfast, Brunch.
Wat Umong
Escape the hustle of the city today with an excursion to Doi Inthanon National Park, home to Thailand’s tallest mountain, Inthanon, standing at over 8,400 feet (2,565 m). Your driver will take you near the summit, where you’ll hike to the top for breathtaking countryside views. Visit a stupa housing the remains of Chao Inthawichayanon, Chiang Mai’s last independent ruler.
Doi Inthanon National Park
Next, stop at the stunning 262-foot (80 m) Wachirathan Waterfall, then follow the Ban Mae Klang Luang nature trail down to Pa Dok Siew Waterfall, where you can enjoy a refreshing swim.
Your final stop is the Karen village of Mae Klang Luang, famous for its coffee production. Visit a local coffee house to see how coffee is roasted, hand-ground, and prepared. Enjoy a fresh cup on-site, and purchase some ground coffee to take home before returning to Chiang Mai.
Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visiting fees, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Today, you’ll encounter Thailand’s cherished national symbol, the elephant. Head an hour north of Chiang Mai, passing through scenic hills, forests, and farmlands, to reach Kanta Elephant Sanctuary. This sanctuary offers a haven for elephants rescued from the tourism and logging industries. You’ll receive an overview of elephants’ history in Thailand and insights into their behavior, anatomy, and care. Engage with the elephants by feeding and interacting with them, discovering their unique personalities and touching backstories.
Kanta Elephant Sanctuary
Conclude your day with a 1.5-hour flight back to Bangkok. Spend your final evening in the vibrant capital, browsing night markets for souvenirs, enjoying a relaxing Thai massage, and savoring street food on the bustling Khao San Road.
Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visiting fees, Chiang Mai – Bangkok plane ticket, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Have this morning to discover Bangkok at your leisure.
As your 10 days in Vietnam and Thailand finally come to an end, you’ll be transferred to Bangkok airport for the flight back home. We sincerely hope you have made great memories, and until the time comes for us to meet again on future travels, take care!
Included: Airport drop-off, Meal: Breakfast.
– There may be cancellation fees charged by suppliers (hotels, airlines, boats, trains…) once these bookings are made and paid. These fee shall by paid by travelers.
– These are maximum cancellation fees to be flexible applied:
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